By: Reski Irawan )*
President Prabowo Subianto’s optimism in advancing small entrepreneurs in Indonesia is an effort to build a more inclusive economy. Amidst the challenges faced by the business sector, including the impacts after the pandemic and climate change, President Prabowo has shown a strong commitment to empowering small entrepreneurs as the backbone of the national economy. In his view, small entrepreneurs are not only economic actors, but also agents of change who are able to create jobs and drive economic growth in various regions.
One of the concrete steps taken by President Prabowo is to create policies that support access to capital for small entrepreneurs. Through programs designed to facilitate access to credit and business capital, it is hoped that small entrepreneurs can develop their businesses without getting caught in financial difficulties. This approach not only reflects the government’s concern for the fate of small entrepreneurs, but also provides new hope for them to innovate and compete in an increasingly competitive market.
Executive Director of the Indonesian Political Review (IPR), Ujang Komarudin, said that President Prabowo is very determined to improve the national economy, especially the people’s economy. This attitude is considered a form of President Prabowo’s support for local entrepreneurs and MSMEs.
On every occasion, President Prabowo often emphasizes the importance of building a conducive ecosystem for small entrepreneurs. By creating a supportive environment, such as reducing complicated bureaucracy and simplifying regulations, it is hoped that small entrepreneurs can focus more on developing their businesses. This is in line with the President’s vision to make Indonesia a more economically independent country, where small entrepreneurs play a key role in creating this independence.
President Prabowo’s optimism is also reflected in his support for innovation and technology that can be utilized by small entrepreneurs. In today’s digital era, technology is one of the important pillars in increasing business competitiveness. Therefore, various training programs and workshops that educate small entrepreneurs about digital marketing, business management, and product innovation are very important. With a better understanding of technology, small entrepreneurs can not only expand their market reach but also improve their operational efficiency.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Indonesian Indigenous Entrepreneurs Association (HIPPI), Uchy Hardiman said that as a national economic activist, his party strongly supports President Prabowo in paying attention to MSMEs who are the driving force of the economy in Indonesia. Uchy also said that the economic figures in the Red and White Cabinet are very fitting. The economic positions in the Red and White Cabinet are filled by the nation’s children who have previously shown integrity, capacity, and capability. Then his party is sure that President Prabowo’s government will pay full attention to MSMEs, considering the role of MSMEs is very large for the country’s economy.
In addition, President Prabowo is also trying to strengthen the distribution network for small entrepreneurs. By working with various parties, including large companies and digital platforms, small entrepreneurs can more easily reach consumers. This strategy not only expands market access, but also helps small entrepreneurs to get added value from the products they offer. This is a strategic step to ensure that local products can compete with foreign products in the global market.
Support for small entrepreneurs is also seen in the government’s efforts to introduce better marketing programs. By utilizing various marketing channels, both online and offline, small entrepreneurs are given the opportunity to introduce their products to a wider audience. This initiative shows that President Prabowo understands the importance of marketing in increasing the competitiveness of small businesses, as well as providing them with the opportunity to contribute more to the national economy.
The Minister of Macro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), Maman Abdurrahman also said that his party had received a mandate from President Prabowo to help Indonesia’s economic growth target to achieve the target of 8 percent by improving the performance of the MSME sector. This target will be achieved with several priority programs, namely providing certainty of capital, providing technological support, and simplifying licensing administration to advance MSMEs in Indonesia.
The optimism shown by President Prabowo is not just rhetoric, but a real commitment to create change. Through open dialogue with small entrepreneurs, President Prabowo listens directly to the needs and challenges they face. This shows that the government is not only on top, but also trying to connect with the realities experienced by people at the grassroots level. This approach creates mutual trust between the government and small entrepreneurs, which in turn will encourage better collaboration.
Furthermore, in facing various global challenges, President Prabowo’s optimism towards small entrepreneurs has become a source of inspiration for many parties. Small entrepreneurs in Indonesia have enormous potential to contribute to economic development. The courage and perseverance of small entrepreneurs, combined with strong government support, are believed to produce innovation and sustainable growth.
)* Domestic economic observer